Electrical Outlets In Your Home: Everything You Need to Know

How many different types of electrical outlets do you use in a given day? Chances are you have multiple types of outlets in your home, but you may not think about the differences every time you plug in your TV or smartphone charger. That’s because some plugs fit into a wide selection of wall outlets without causing any problems. However, some appliances only work on specific types of outlets, and a mismatched fit can lead to vampire energy usage and even the risk of electrical shocks. Here, we break down everything you need to know about the power outlets in your home, including the most common types, how many amps and volts you should expect from your home’s wall sockets, and how to choose the right ones for your home.

How Many Types of Electrical Outlets Are There?

There are several ways to categorize electrical outlets, including the shape of the outlet, the number of prongs it supports, and the type of electrical current it delivers. If you’ve traveled outside of the U.S., you won’t be surprised to learn that there are at least 15 different plug and socket types used around the world!

In the United States, you’re most likely to encounter Type A and Type B sockets. Type A outlets have two vertical slots that fit plugs with two prongs, while Type B outlets have a third “ground pin” to fit three-pronged power cables.

Type C sockets have two round pins and are used primarily in Europe and Asia. Type G sockets have three rectangular pins and are used in the U.K. and Singapore. We won’t review the whole list, but you get the idea. If you plan to travel abroad, you may need to bring an adapter for your electric toothbrush.

How Many Volts is a Standard Outlet?

The voltage of a wall outlet in a typical business can vary a bit, but there are some general guidelines of what you might find for standard outlets.

15-amp, 120 volt

The 15-amp, 120-volt electrical circuit is the closest thing we have to a standard wall outlet voltage in the U.S. These outlets are often installed in pairs so that they may also be referred to as a duplex outlet, a duplex receptacle, or a double wall outlet.

One of the two parallel pin slots is usually longer than the other, and they may or may not have a third grounding pin. A standard outlet can be used for reading lamps, nightlights, and everyday appliances that don’t draw a lot of power.

20-amp, 120 volt

The next type of outlet is the 20-amp, 120-volt outlet, which looks similar to a 15-amp but has a slightly different slot design that looks like a sideways “T.” You can use this type of outlet for more powerful devices, such as heavy-duty kitchen equipment or other appliances that a 15-amp outlet can’t handle.

Most 20-amp outlets deliver 120 volts of power. Still, you can also install a wall socket with a higher than standard wall outlet voltage for even more energy-intensive devices, such as an electric car charging station. So you may see some 20-amp, 240-volt circuit outlets. In that case, you may need to hire an electrician to install additional circuit breakers.

What Are Common U.S. Outlet Types?

AFCI electrical outlets

An arc fault circuit interrupter (AFCI) refers to wall outlets with built-in electrical safety features designed to identify hazards and turn off the electrical current when something goes wrong. 

For example, if a mouse chews through a wire, it could result in the electrical outlet overheating and causing a fire. You can identify “arc faults” yourself by their telltale buzzing sound, but AFCI outlets can identify these issues even before you do. 

AFCI outlets typically have a built-in “reset” button that you can press to turn the electrical outlet back on again.

GFCI electrical outlets

GFCI stands for ground fault circuit interrupter. This type of electrical outlet can be used to mitigate hazards related to water. Consider a scenario in which your basement floods, or you drop a hair dryer into the sink. A GFCI outlet can identify a surge in the current and cut off the power supply to the outlet. 

GFCI receptacles are great for outdoor use or for rooms in the house that are at risk of flooding, such as your basement or laundry room. Like AFCI outlets, these outlets have a “reset” button that you can press once it’s safe to turn the power back on again.

What Other Types of Outlets Are There?

There are plenty of other ways homeowners can customize the appearance and functionality of electrical outlets – and make them safer and more energy-efficient. 

There are a number of different types of wall outlets. For example, you could choose between a standard wall plate that protrudes from the wall or a recessed power outlet built into it. Other options include the following: 

Tamper-resistant outlets. These outlets are designed to prevent foreign objects, such as forks and knives, from being able to fit into the outlet. Tamper-resistant receptacles are the safest choice if they’re within reach of infants and toddlers since they reduce the risk of fire or electric shock. 

Weather-resistant outlets. These power sockets are designed to withstand outdoor weather conditions, including rain, snow, and humidity. They may have a plastic shield to keep water from damaging the outlet and can be useful for outdoor lighting, pool or gardening equipment, or basement appliances.

USB outlets. USB devices are increasingly common, and therefore, USB outlets can be commonly found at hotels, airports, and other places where people need to charge their smartphones. You can install them at home by purchasing a wall outlet with built-in USB ports. 

Smart outlets. Finally, there are smart electrical socket types, which come with several benefits. You can use them to monitor the energy usage of specific appliances, control them using your smartphone or a digital assistant like Amazon Alexa, or set a schedule for your lights or sprinklers to turn on and off automatically.

How Do I Know If I Need 15-Amp or 20-Amp Outlets?

Whenever you install electrical wall outlets, it’s important to ensure they correspond with circuit breakers in your electrical box. 

According to Home Depot, a 15-amp circuit should have a 14-gauge wire and a 15-amp circuit breaker, while a 20-amp circuit should have a 12-gauge or 10-gauge wire and a 20-amp circuit breaker.

Since most homes are wired with more than one type of circuit, you may need to install different types of outlets in different rooms of the house.

What Happens If You Put a 20-Amp Outlet on a 15-Amp Circuit?

In the U.S., it’s against the National Electrical Code to put a 20-amp outlet on a 15-amp circuit. Although nothing bad will happen simply by installing the outlet, it could present a fire risk if someone plugs a 20-amp appliance into that outlet. Therefore, following the guidelines and avoiding putting a 20-amp outlet on a 15-amp circuit is best.

There’s no need to worry about the reverse scenario, though: you can install a 15-amp power outlet on a 20-amp circuit without any issues, as long as you don’t overload it. If in doubt, ask an electrician before proceeding with the installation.

Is My Outlet 110 or 120 Volts?

If you’re in the U.S., there isn’t a distinction: the national standard is 120 volts, which power companies are expected to deliver to your home. But even that number can fluctuate over time, so your actual voltage could be higher or lower. 

Most appliances can take that variation in stride, but for heavy-duty appliances like washing machines, you may need to install a 240-volt outlet.

Are Power Outlets Safe?

Whether or not power outlets are safe depends on how well they’re installed and whether they’re used properly. Plugging an appliance into an electrical outlet is not necessarily high-risk, but installing an electrical socket yourself can be. 

The following scenarios can also lead to the risk of fire or electrical shock: 

• Sticking fingers or objects in sockets
• Overloading an electrical outlet
• Rodents chewing through wires
• Using electric outlets near water

You can reduce the risk by using the right kind of electrical receptacle for each setting, such as tamper-resistant GFCI outlets in outdoor spaces. 

You can also use a voltage meter to ensure that an electrical outlet delivers the right voltage and avoid overloading the outlet with too many appliances.

Can an Electrical Outlet Hurt You?

Electrical outlets can cause severe burns, electric shock, and even death when they aren’t used properly. According to the National Fire Protection Association, around 2,400 children are injured by electrical outlets each year. Using tamper-resistant receptacles makes it harder for kids to stick objects into electrical sockets. 

But children aren’t the only ones at risk. The improper use of electric outlets near swimming pools contributes to yearly electric shock drownings (ESD). 

Learn more about electrical shocks here. 

Your Satisfaction is Our Priority

We’re confident you’ll love your plan, but if not, call us, and we’ll help you find the perfect plan without any extra cost.*

How Common Are Outlet Fires?

The NFPA estimates that there are around 46,700 fires per year related to electrical failure in the home, two-thirds of which were due to arc faults. Outlet fires are more common in older homes with damaged or faulty wiring. 

You can protect against outlet fires by upgrading old wiring in your home and installing AFCI outlets. Be sure to call your electrician if you notice any outlets that are unusually hot or are making any hissing or buzzing noises.

Can an Outlet Catch Fire With Nothing Plugged In?

Yes, although plugging too many appliances into a circuit can overload it and cause an electrical fire, that’s not the only thing to look out for. Even a circuit with nothing plugged into it can cause sparks if the wiring is chewed, frayed, wet, or otherwise damaged. The risk is higher in older houses with aluminum wiring.

The More You Know, the Better

It’s easy to overlook the importance of electrical outlets in our everyday lives. But knowing more about these modern conveniences will help you make the right decisions and keep your family safe. Pay attention to the power outlet types you have and consult an electrician if you’re not sure about something. 

Also, if your electricity bills keep rising, it might be time to shop around for a new energy provider. Just Energy makes it easy to choose the right plan for you, from green energy options to free nights and weekends in some regions. Simply enter your ZIP code to find out what options are available for you.

Brought to you by justenergy.com